Ahh... The Month of Love
Will You be My Snarkentine?
February—the Month of Love 💖
Valentine’s day—a beautiful, romantic day for couples. Have no fear single females, the universe created Galentine's day. Actually, according to Cosmopolitan, who cites the almighty Urban Dictionary, “Galentine’s Day was founded by a badass fictional character: Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation.” It’s celebrated on February 13th, the day before Valentines.
If single women get Galentines Day, do single men get Malentines? Yes, apparently they do. (I asked the Wizard of Google). According to The Point Malta (no idea what this site is, Google sent me there), “Malentine’s Day–you guessed it, is a day dedicated to single men and is celebrated on the 12th.”
I wouldn’t want to detract from all these Hallmark card holidays, but how cool would it be to just have one day for all: like a World-tines Day where we celebrate love and kindness for each other. What about it Hallmark?
How To Start A Rumor About Yourself:
When I was in college and very much not in a relationship, I went to the drugstore for toothpaste and Tampax on Valentine’s morning. Sexy, I know. I grew irritated as I eyed rows and rows of red and pink heart-shaped boxes, feeling singled out. On my way to the cashier, I grabbed one of those frilly boxes. Just because there was no one special in my life, didn’t mean I couldn’t have those sugary treats too. I was going to celebrate myself! The next morning, I scooped up my books and headed to class. By afternoon people were whispering, friends looking at me funny, and some were angry that I hadn’t told them about my new boyfriend. My what? I was more surprised than they were! Turns out, if you’re going to defy normal expectations, don’t leave your box of love-declaring chocolates where one of your roommates can see it! 💝 🫣 🤣
Let’s Talk About Love
Love is an important thread in my upcoming novel, Not Yours to Keep. The story revolves around the love a parent has for their child, whether we’ve birthed them, raised them, or not. Which begs the all important question of what defines a family? What does family mean to you?
Reading was my first love- (Bonanza’s Little Joe notwithstanding). I could read a book a day. You know when people ask authors ‘what was your favorite book as a child?’ Do not ask me that. I can’t choose. There was Heidi in the gorgeous Swiss mountains and her cranky grandfather; Pippi, who I adored for being so perfectly imperfect; Mrs. Basil E Frankenweiler and her mixed up files; Charlotte’s Web, Nancy Drew and her Hardy Boys, James and the Giant Peach, The Phantom Tollbooth, The Secret Garden, Little Women, and anything Agatha Christie. In the best educational category, I sped through Valley of the Dolls 😳 and Fear of Flying when I was way too young! There were books forced on me by English teachers whose characters I adored, like Jane Eyre, Pip, and the wonderful, old, spidery Miss Havisham. I was a loyal Danielle Steel reader before high school, and later I could devour any Faye Kellerman or Mary Higgins Clark. I had every one of their novels, almost all hardcovers, on my bookshelf before I moved to NYC. It was more upsetting to lose those than my marriage. By then I’d started writing myself and workshops leaders introduced me to the joy of non-fiction, memoirs, and very literary books I mistakenly thought would be too dry. I discovered greats like Ann Patchett and Elizabeth Strout, to name a few.
But ever since Not Yours to Keep began its publishing track, my expanding TBR list has been growing moss. And then last month I attended
‘New Year, New Chapter’ event, and came away with at least 40 new books I need to read. I’m desperately trying to find the time. I WILL read them all!
Meeting all these interesting and talented writers will lead to this:
As a formerly very organized person, I like to tackle my TBR in order. One at a time. Which creates a dilemma because that list dates back two years, and the writerly people I know and respect are releasing their works now, and I want to read them now, and support and review for them now. And I miss immersing myself in a good story and lingering in their other worlds.
Alongside working on my launch, and my WIP, the idea for the next one, and the non writerly life joys and responsibilities, I’ve been working on my mindset. Creating new habits is supposed to help, right?
There’s one month before the Not Yours to Keep pre-launch biz gets rolling, and I want to set new habits for myself before we get there.
So I’m going to start with a light self-challenge—to finish one book every two weeks and post them in my newsletter. Can I do it? Yes, I can! Well, maybe! But I’m going to try. There’s one enormous obstacle—HOW DO I CHOOSE WHICH ONE TO READ FIRST??????
Small Confession- I went out of order!!
As I was drafting this newsletter, I downloaded an early copy of
’s upcoming Don’t Forget Me. I meant to save it to my list, but I took a quick look at the first sentence and couldn’t stop! I would have finished it in one night if life and responsibilities hadn’t interrupted, but I devoured it in two days. LOVED.
Which brings us back to my regularly scheduled conundrum. What to read next??
And Now For Something Completely Serious…
Show some love and support to the American Heart Association
Last Licks
Happy Valentine's Day. If you figure out how to tackle the TBR pile I'd love to know.
I too read everything growing up. I read Once is Not Enough back when I was way too young. I remember hiding it under other age appropriate books in my nightstand.